MCN Fleet

I arrive at Webbs, my local Yamaha dealer, in an absolute downpour, for a long overdue service of the Yamaha Tracer 900GT. With 7027 miles on the clock, I’m slightly over, well to be precise a whole...

Update 5: How does the SV650X cope with distance riding? Published 14.08.18 In my time with the Suzuki SV650X, I have been pushing myself to ride further and longer, in a bid to discover new routes...

I've been running his Ducati Panigale V4 S as a long term test bike for over 4000-miles now. Check out my video blog (above) to discover how I've getting on and what lies ahead.   Update 3: The...

724 miles It’s a great feeling when you pick up your bike after it’s had its first service and you can finally let rip and the Africa Twin doesn’t disappoint. While it’s not a particularly fast bike,...

The upfront costs of modern bikes can be eye-watering and the Tiger 1200 is no exception but they hold their value well don’t they? Well the market leaders do. Three-year-old Tigers sell for roughly...

Update 1: The first 4000 miles with the MT-09 SP Light, nimble and economical, Yamaha’s MT-09 has proven to be a great long-term companion, so far. The last 4000 miles have proved Yamaha’s premium...

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special long term test review Sports reporter Oli Rushby is spending the summer with Ducati's Scrambler 1100 Special... as well as a hefty 138-mile round trip commute to our...

Kawasaki’s psychotic super-tourer sucks, bangs and blows harder than most Whirr, surge, chirp, pssshhh. Whirr, surge, chirp, pssshhh. The H2’s relentless wind orchestra has all the dogged insistence...

When I took delivery of Suzuki’s A2-compliant GSX250R last August, I was full of interest. This was the smallest capacity bike I’d ridden since the unreliable (but beautiful) Aprilia RS50 I had at...

An email from MCN reader Jim Scott struck up the thought about the Yamaha XMAX 400’s seat height, something I never took a second look at before. Perhaps because I’ve ridden a few bikes now which I...

The term ‘Man maths’ refers to using semi-rational reasons, rather than the actual figures, to justify  your purchase. It’s an expression I use at home all-to-often. For example, last year I...

It’s an age since I first set eyes on the Honda X-ADV. Like all good love affairs I remember the exact moment in time, the MCN Show in London last year is etched on my mind for eternity. A three-month...

From my previous update, you’ll know I can fit three bags full of food under the seat of the XMAX. Now I was going to France for a weekend, could the 33bhp scoot hack going aboard? And be comfortable?...

I love the D940, it hugs the coast from Calais to Le Touquet, the undulating sweepers and fabulous final destination make it my obvious choice for a winter weekender. I’m sure a 500 mile trip in near...

The Rider’s View I’ve been riding for 13 years and whenever asked to take a pillion I’ve always dodged the bullet. The great ‘what if’ makes me twitchy and someone else’s safety being in my hands...

I’m proud to be an all-year-round rider. Britain’s winter might throw crappy weather, greasy roads and that lovely salt-laden sludge that seems to get just about everywhere at us, but there is still...

You may remember I was considering winterising the XMAX. You know the sort of thing: looking at different tyres, extended screens and hand guards, keeping on top of the grime... In truth, however –...

After two blown bulbs in 5450 miles and a two-week trip back to Suzuki to try and diagnose the problem during its 6000-mile service interval, it looked as if the GSX250R’s electrical woes had finally...

Winter hack or garage ornament?   I have been guilty of being a fair weather rider I must admit so it’s time to man up and brave the elements. Chances are most naked sporty numbers are left...

Truth be told, I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect from the Ninja 650 at the start of last year. Wannabe sportsbike, commuter, sports-tourer or a frugal and friendly bike for new riders? But the...

It’s midnight as I pull into the services just south of Stafford on the M6. My X-ADV needs fuel and more importantly, I need to warm up. There’s a Days Inn Motel that looks welcoming but home’s only...

Late last year, I embarked on a 190-mile journey down to West Sussex from my home in Lincolnshire to visit Advanced Riding Techniques (ART) in Crawley. The trip was primarily for a feature on how to...

Having covered just over 8,000 miles on Suzuki’s V Strom 650 XT since April, I thought it was about time I answered a number of your questions! Here are just some of the questions I’ve been sent on...

Earlier in my time with Kawasaki’s Ninja 650, I decided to replace the standard exhaust for an aftermarket Arrow system as I was interested in finding out if (and what) more could be achieved. While...

This morning didn’t start well. I glance out of my kitchen window and a fallen fence greets me, annoyingly it’s the one we’re responsible for. Loads of branches from the trees at the bottom of our...

Until last month, the KTM’s 125 Duke was my main mode of transport. It was lovely, but after I passed my test, the urge for more power took over. And to be honest I needed it – my 62-mile round trip...

My first 500 miles with the big XT have mainly been a baptism of ice and snow, rather than fire. Against a landscape of monochrome chilliness, there's nothing more comforting than a simplistically...

In just under 5500 miles of riding, the Suzuki GSX250R’s main headlight bulb has blown twice; once at just over 3000 miles and a second time on my way home yesterday evening, at around 5450 miles. The...

Ten years ago if you wanted a bagger a Harley was the only option but now there are plenty. The nearest rival is the Indian Chieftain but the formula (big twin + fork mounted fairing = American...

It’s a bittersweet ending with KTM’s 125 Duke. Our time together has seen me develop my riding and enjoy most of what biking has on offer. We’ve even conquered the A1M on our daily commute and her...

Opening the curtains and seeing rain drops cascading down my window meant the last thing I wanted to do was take a bike to the track and put in some laps. But this was the first real opportunity I’d...

After a three week break from riding during the recent spell of sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice, the Suzuki GSX250R has returned as my go-to method of commuting. In my time away from the saddle, I...

My Honda X-ADV is definitely the motorcycling equivalent of Marmite, you either love it or hate it. Me, I love it (I mean the X-ADV, I despise Marmite with a passion!). I discovered Honda had sold 211...

The Metzeler Racetec RRs are off the R6 and they’ve been replaced by Bridgestone’s Battlax T30 Evo. The Metzelers were still legal and despite over 3000 miles which included a few track sessions they...

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed a recent absence from social media and online updates for the Suzuki GSX250R. Unfortunately, the bike developed a fault exactly on the stroke of my 5000th...

The V-Strom headed to Suzuki for its 7500-mile service the other day and I was quite proud as the bike clicked 7503 as I rolled up to Suzuki’s Milton Keynes workshop! Sad, I know, but that was...